- Like an Architectural Masterpiece
- Breathtaking Interior
- Watch: Preview of the 2024 Cadillac Celestiq
Photo: Cadillac
Cadillac, which celebrated its 120th anniversary on August 22 and prepares to go EV-only by 2030, has just unveiled the production version of the Celestiq show car we saw back in the summer.
This breathtaking new sedan embodies Cadillac’s vision of luxury for the future as it aims to re-establish itself as the “Standard of the World,” ahead of prestigious brands like Bentley and Rolls-Royce. Right on cue, the latter unveiled its highly anticipated, all-electric Spectre coupe on Tuesday.
The Celestiq will enter production in December 2023 inside a high-security “clean room”-type environment known as the Artisan Center at the GM Global Technical Center in Warren, Michigan. Cadillac has also confirmed that it will have an expected MSRP to begin north of $300,000 USD, or more than $400,000 CAD at the current exchange rate. That’s ten times the price of a base CT5!
Photo: Cadillac
Each unit will be assembled by hand and specifically tailored to the customer’s wants and needs—what Cadillac calls the “Custom Commissioned” build process—ensuring a unique and ultra-premium buying experience.
Like an Architectural Masterpiece
Inspiration for Cadillac designers and engineers came from the legendary V-16 of the 1930s and the 1957 Eldorado Brougham. The stately, one-of-a-kind Celestiq shares many design cues with the Lyriq and actually looks like a stretched and flattened version of the crossover. It rides on gigantic 23-inch wheels wrapped in summer-only Michelin Pilot Sport EV tires and is underpinned by GM’s Ultium platform.
Photo: Cadillac
The ultra-long wheelbase accommodates a large 111kWh battery that will enable up to 483 km of range and feed dual motors producing a total of 600 horsepower and 640 pound-feet of torque according to the automaker’s estimations. Look for 0-100 km/h sprints in less than four seconds.
The automated charge port is surrounded by a ring of light that responds when the Celestiq is plugged in for charging. Visual cues indicate the state of charge, including a lit Goddess emblem above the charge port. Additionally, the car’s vertical lighting signatures in the headlamps and taillamps offer charging status indicators, showing 10-percent charging increments. By the way, Cadillac says the Celestiq can regain an estimated 125 km of range in only 10 minutes at a public 200kW DC fast charging station.
Photo: Cadillac
Meanwhile, the suspension and steering systems have been developed and tuned to achieve “Isolated Precision,” which is how Cadillac describes the no-compromise luxury driving experience where drivers still feel connected to the road. This includes an adaptive air suspension with Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 technology seen on the CT5-V Blackwing, active anti-roll bars, and rear wheels that can turn up to 3.5 degrees for superior handling and stability.
Breathtaking Interior
Under the four-quadrant, suspended-particle-device smart glass roof allowing each occupant of the vehicle to set their own level of roof transparency (a world fist), the spectacular cabin of the Celestiq can be accessed simply by pressing a button since there are no door handles. It boasts stunning attention to detail—the kind you won’t see in a Bugatti or Koenigsegg according to Cadillac’s interior design manager, Tristan Murphy. And as mentioned earlier, no two interiors will be alike thanks to the endless range of colours, materials and finishes.
Photo: Cadillac
Over 450 distinct LEDs help deliver an immersive sensory experience. Customers can personalize their colour selections for each interior lighting zone or let the car curate the lighting combinations to harmonize throughout the cabin. In addition, there are 18 different lighting animations which showcase the interior’s lighting capabilities where the choreography of light enhances the mood.
Equally stunning is the 55-inch, pillar-to-pillar digital interface that combines an 8K display on the driver’s side with another screen designed to allow front passengers to enjoy video content while blocking it from the view of the driver. The other displays are found on the front (11 inches) and rear (8 inches) centre consoles as well as on the back of each front seat (12.6 inches).
Photo: Cadillac
Elsewhere, don’t miss the crystal multi-function controller sporting the Cadillac Goddess emblem that controls the infotainment system and other features. And wait until you hear the AKG Studio Reference audio system, which boasts no fewer than 41 speakers including three on the outside.
To top it all off, the Celestiq will offer GM’s next-generation hands-free driving assistance technology, called Ultra Cruise, as well as remote park assist. You’d better get your name on the waitlist as soon as you can. In the meantime, check out our photo gallery above for more shots of the Celestiq.
Watch: Preview of the 2024 Cadillac Celestiq
Keyword: 2024 Cadillac Celestiq Debuts in Production Form, to Cost Over $400,000